Report: Man killed during standoff with law enforcement last year in Columbus commits suicide

COLUMBUS, Ohio – An investigation has revealed that a man was killed during an altercation with law enforcement in parking in downtown Columbus took his own life last year.

The incident happened just before 10 a.m. on March 7, 2022, at a parking garage on East Fulton Street.

According to a report from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Rayshawn Meeks, 34, was a passenger in the back seat of a vehicle that arrived at the garage.

After the car pulled into a parking space, Meeks attacked the driver from behind, then got out and started fighting with another passenger in the car.

A Clinton Township officer was in the garage trying to break up a fight between Meeks and another man.

BCI Ohio reports that Meeks assaulted the officer and was then ordered to the ground by two deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, who arrived moments later.

As he continued to resist, Meeks was able to take the revolver from the officer. Aiming the weapon, Meeks turned it on himself and fired one shot.

Meeks received first aid until paramedics arrived and transported him to Grant Medical Center, where he died of his injuries about a week later.

An autopsy by the Franklin County Coroner’s Office determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and the cause of death was suicide.

Based on those reports, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office said it would not seek criminal charges against civilians or law enforcement.

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